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About this game

Synopsis

SteamWorld Dig is a platform mining adventure. Take the role as Rusty, a lone mining steambot, as he arrives to an old mining town in great need. Dig your way through the old earth, gaining riches while uncovering the ancient threat that lurks below...

Gamer Reviews

Critic Reviews

16 Reviews

8.08

GameSpot

7.00

Heidi Kemps — Sep 13, 2013

Perhaps the game's brief length and unfulfilling conclusion wouldn't be issues if everything else about SteamWorld Dig weren't so good. Exploration and augmentation are a lot of fun, the setting is interesting, and the resource management adds some challenge and tension. Yet the game seems to be leading to more and more awesome things, only to have these elements--the setting, the combat, the skill upgrades--end just as it they get interesting. Nevertheless, SteamWorld Dig is an entertaining underground adventure worth digging into.

Indie Game Mag

10.0

Dale Morgan — Dec 20, 2013

The story is good, the visuals are charming and the sound is understated but evocative of the theme. Difficulty, pacing and flow are well-judged, and the game is short enough to leave you wanting more whilst leaving you satisfied that you’ve got your money’s worth. In every single area that matters, Steamworld Dig is a masterclass of game design. Although the gameplay is kept simple and it isn’t about to cause a revolution, from start to finish it is an absolute joy to play. You could say that they’ve mined a rich vein of creativity.

Destructoid

7.50

Tony Ponce — Aug 21, 2013

I admit that I felt pretty fed up with the game on a number of occasions precisely because of these shortcomings. Even so, the allure of what lay hidden beneath the surface compelled me onward. Soil gives way to a long-lost subterranean civilization, which then gives way to evidence of a world much more advanced then the one on the surface. Every hundred meters is some new surprise, some new revelation.

NintendoLife

8.00

Thomas Whitehead — Aug 11, 2013

SteamWorld Dig represents a strong coming together of concept and execution, with relatively simple mechanics impeccably layered to coax the gamer through its story. It's demanding and perhaps too punishing for some, but the mix of basic platforming, puzzling and action works well, with a beautifully balanced leveling system underpinning the whole undertaking. Beyond the initial thrill of exploration it's questionable whether much else can draw you back, but this is a game that achieves its goals with some panache and plenty of style.

IGN

9.50

Michael Burns — Sep 17, 2013

SteamWorld Dig is easily the best eShop game of 2013, and just as good on PS4, Vita, and PC. With a core mechanic that's as simple to understand as it is fun to experiment with, an engrossing atmosphere, and exceptionally refined platforming action that lends itself to multiple play styles and playthroughs, this is an addictive cycle that makes the 3DS difficult to put down.

Hardcore Gamer

8.00

Jeremy Peeples — Aug 09, 2013

If you love Metroidvania games, you’ll love Steamworld Dig. It takes a little while to get going, but once you find your first upgrade underground, you’ll be hooked. It blends action-platforming with exploration very well, and manages to feel different enough from every other MV-style game while still feeling somewhat familiar. For under ten dollars, there’s a lot of fun to be had with SteamWorld Dig.

USGamer

8.00

Jeremy Parish — Aug 10, 2013

Short and simple; my near-complete first run took me about seven hours. I could definitely go for more, but at the same time this particular game feels complete as-is... and the secret ranking system revealed at the end just begs for speedrunning. Suffice it to say this is exactly the kind of game eShop needs more of: Simple, addictive, and creative despite wearing its influences prominently. Highly recommended.

Pocket Gamer

10.0

Mike Rose — Aug 09, 2013

At around four hours, SteamWorld Dig is a concise game that deserves credit for not outstaying its welcome. That said, if you griped about the length of Portal and Journey then you may find cause for complaint here too. SteamWorld Dig is an utterly phenomenal video game, with layer upon layer of remarkable gameplay to be found. This isn't simply the best Nintendo 3DS game you've played - it's one of the best games you'll play this year.

Euro Gamer

8.00

Chris Schilling — Aug 26, 2013

I finished the game in just under six hours (with a handful of upgrades still to buy), over two sessions that ran into the early hours - both times intended as nothing more than a quick go before bed. SteamWorld Dig is the best kind of surprise, then: a game with substance, challenge and no little charm that seems to have come out of nowhere. The 3DS is enjoying a particularly strong year for games, and eShop titles of this quality can only continue its hot streak.